THE father of a Bromsgrove boy dramatically rescued from a 180-foot deep quarry thanks to his mobile phone has warned parents to guard against the dangers lurking on their doorsteps

Nigel Cooke, aged 40, spoke out after his 12-year-old stepson, Christopher Wood, and his pal, a school friend, 11, who has not been named, were rescued from the quarry off Sandy Lane, Wildmoor, near their home in Cobnall Road, Catshill.

Last Thursday with the temperature hovering at zero, the pair, together with Christopher's pal's brother, went for a walk to the quarry. The brother returned to his home in Catshill when Christopher and his friend decided to take the spiral track to the quarry bottom.

Nigel said it is thought his son made an unsuccessful grab for his pal when he stumbled and they both slid 50 feet into icy water at the bottom.

Scared and soaked in the inky blackness they managed to scramble to an island. Remembering he had his phone -- a Christmas present -- with him, Christopher dialled 999 and spoke to the fire brigade. Unable to tell firefighters their location, he gave them his pal's address.

Two appliances from Bromsgrove sped to the area, one stopping en route to pick up the brother who directed officers along country lanes and across fields to where he had recently left them.

The boys were located by shouting to make contact, and a ladder bridge was constructed to span the icy water, along which firefighter Barry Adams crept to rescue them. Paramedics checked them at the scene before they were taken to their homes none the worse for their two-hour ordeal.

Nigel said: "It was fortunate Chris had his mobile with him. If he hadn't, with the temperature so low, it might have been far more serious.

"I hope his experience will bring home to parents the need for them to warn their children to be aware of the danger of going near quarries."

A brigade spokesman said "Much has been said about the harm children face when using mobiles, but here is a case of one possibly saving two lives.